Systems and methods for a universal data link

ABSTRACT

A method for transmitting data through a multi-media communication network includes converting transmission entities into data symbols at a first communication device, transmitting the data symbols from the first communication device to a second communication device through at least two different types of communication media using only lower PHY layers of the at least two different types of communication media, and converting the data symbols into transmission entities at the second communication device. A network implementing a universal data link includes a first communication device configured to convert transmission entities into data symbols, a second communication device configured to convert the data symbols into transmission entities, at least a first communication medium and a second communication medium communicatively coupled between the first communication device and the second communication device, and a first physical-layer translator configured to translate data symbols without converting the data symbols into transmission entities.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/255,764, filed on Jan. 23, 2019, which claims benefit for priority of(a) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/620,615 filed onJan. 23, 2018, (b) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/646,221 filed on Mar. 21, 2018, (c) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/772,117 filed on Nov. 28, 2018, and (d) U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/777,857 filed on Dec. 11,2018. Each of the above-mentioned patent applications is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Many communication networks use two or more different communicationmediums to transmit data. For example, hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) cabletelevision networks use both fiber optic cables and coaxial cables toconnect end users with a cable television headend. As another example,modern telephone networks typically use fiber optic cables andtwisted-pair cables to connect end users with a telephone centraloffice. As yet another example, mobile telephone communication networksfrequently use both wireless transmission mediums and fiber optic cablesto connect end users with a telephone system core node.

Digital communication networks are commonly modeled using an opensystems interconnection (OSI) model, where each node in the network isrepresented by an OSI layer stack. The OSI layer stack makeup will varyamong applications, but the layer stack typically includes at least someof the following layers in order from bottom to top: (1) a physicallayer, (2) a data link layer, (3) a network layer, (4) a transportlayer, (5) a session layer, (6) a presentation layer, and (7) anapplication layer.

The physical layer (layer 1) facilitates transfer of data symbols acrossa physical communication medium, such as by defining interfaces with thecommunication medium. The data link layer (layer 2) may encodetransmission entities received from upper layers into bits for thephysical layer. Additionally, the data link layer may decode bitsreceive from the physical layer into transmission entities for upperlayers. Furthermore, the data link layer may provide transmissionprotocol and management, frame synchronization, and flow control. Thedata link layer often includes two sublayers, i.e., a medium accesscontrol (MAC) sublayer and a logical link control (LLC) sublayer. Thenetwork layer (layer 3) provides switching and routing, and thetransport layer (layer 4) helps ensure complete data transfer. Thesession layer (layer 5) controls connections between applications, andthe presentation layer (layer 6) translates between an applicationformat and a network format. Finally, the application layer (layer 7)supports application processes.

As one example of network operation according to the OSI model, considera network where device A sends data to device B over a communicationmedium C. At device A, data travels down device A's OSI layer stack fromits application layer to its physical layer. The data then travels fromdevice A's physical layer to device B's physical layer via communicationmedium C, and the data then travels up device B's OSI layer stack fromits physical layer to its application layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network implementing auniversal data link, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network implementingconventional data links, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network implementing auniversal data link and including a fiber optic cable communicationmedium and a coaxial cable communication medium, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network implementing auniversal data link and including a fiber optic cable communicationmedium and a twisted-pair cable communication medium, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network implementing auniversal data link and including a fiber optic cable communicationmedium and a wireless communication medium, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network implementing auniversal data link and including a fiber optic cable communicationmedium, a coaxial cable communication medium, and a wirelesscommunication medium, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network implementing auniversal data link and including a fiber optic cable communicationmedium, a coaxial cable communication medium, and multiple secondcommunication devices, according to an embodiment

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cable television networkimplementing a universal data link, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating another cable televisionnetwork implementing a universal data link, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a downlink transmissionentity, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dedicated resource of theFIG. 10 downlink transmission entity.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a scheduled resource of theFIG. 10 downlink transmission entity.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an uplink transmissionentity, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dedicated resource of theFIG. 13 uplink transmission entity.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a scheduled resource of theFIG. 13 uplink transmission entity.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a physical-layer translatornode, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plurality ofphysical-layer translator nodes, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of a networkproviding wireless communication service within a building and outsideof the building, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a physical-layer translator,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating a method for transmitting datathrough a multi-media communication network using a universal data link,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of aphysical-layer translator translating physical data symbols from acoaxial cable communication medium to a wireless communication medium,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating an upper physical layer,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lower physical layer,according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a universal data link.Certain embodiments of the systems and methods use a universal data linkto transmit data through two or more different communication mediums,e.g., optical, coaxial cable, wireless, and/or twisted paircommunication mediums. In particular embodiments, transmission entitiesare converted into physical layer bit streams, which are forward errorcorrection (FEC) encoded into longer coded bit streams and aresubsequently mapped into physical data symbols at the beginning of atransmission path, and the data remains in the form of physical datasymbols while being transported through the two or more communicationmediums. The physical data symbols are de-mapped into coded bit streamsthat are subsequently FEC decoded into original physical layer bitstreams, which are then converted to transmission entities at the end ofthe transmission path. Consequently, in these embodiments, data does nottraverse an entire OSI layer stack when transitioning between differentcommunication mediums; instead physical data symbols from onecommunication medium are mapped or translated to physical data symbolsof another communication medium when transitioning between the twocommunication mediums. Such use of universal data link may achievesignificant advantages, as discussed below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network 100 implementing auniversal data link. Network 100 includes a first communication device102, a second communication device 104, N communication mediums 106, andN−1 physical layer (PHY) translators 108, where N is an integer greaterthan one. Although FIG. 1 illustrates N being four or greater, N couldbe two or three without departing from the scope hereof. Communicationmediums 106 are communicatively coupled between first communicationdevice 102 and second communication device 104, and communicationmediums 106 transmit data between first communication device 102 andsecond communication device 104, as discussed below. In this document,specific instances of an item may be referred to by use of a numeral inparentheses (e.g., communication medium 106(1)) while numerals withoutparentheses refer to any such item (e.g., communication media 106).

First communication device 102 implements at least a universal data link110, a lower PHY layer 112, and an upper PHY layer 113. In someembodiments, data link 110 includes one or more of a MAC sublayer and aLLC sublayer. First communication device 102 optionally also implementsone or more additional layers, e.g., one or more of a network layer, atransport layer, a session layer, a presentation layer, and anapplication layer (not shown), above data link 110. Additionally, secondcommunication device 104 implements at least a universal data link 114,a lower PHY layer 116, and an upper PHY layer 117. In some embodiments,data link 114 includes one or more of a MAC sublayer and a LLC sublayer.Second communication device 104 also optionally implements one or moreadditional layers, e.g., one or more of a network layer, a transportlayer, a session layer, a presentation layer, and an application layer(not shown), above data link 114.

Universal data links 110 and 114, as well as PHY layers 112, 113, 116,and 117, are depicted in dashed lines in the figures herein to indicatethat these layers are virtual layers instead of physical layers. Forexample, in some embodiments, a processor (not shown) of firstcommunication device 102 executes instructions in the form of softwareor firmware stored in a memory (not shown) of first communication device102 to implement universal data link 110 and PHY layers 112 and 113. Asanother example, in some embodiments, a processor (not shown) of secondcommunication device 104 executes instructions in the form of softwareor firmware stored in a memory (not shown) of second communicationdevice 104 to implement universal data link 114 and PHY layers 116 and117.

First communication device 102 is configured to obtain transmissionentities 122, such as from a network layer internal to or external tocommunication device 102, and convert transmission entities 122 intophysical data symbols 124. In particular, universal data link 110controls conversion of transmission entities 122 into physical datasymbols 124, and PHY layers 112 and 113 collectively control generationof a carrier signal (not shown) on communication medium 106(1) andmodulation of the carrier signal such that the carrier signal is encodedwith physical data symbols 124. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagramillustrating upper PHY layer 113, and FIG. 23 is a schematic diagramillustrating lower PHY layer 112. Upper PHY layer 113 includes a bitstream element 2202 and a FEC element 2204. Lower PHY layer 112 includesa coded bit stream element 2302, a symbol mapper 2304, an equalizer2306, and a modulator 2308. Bit stream element 2202 convertstransmission entities into physical layer bit streams, and FEC element2204 performs FEC on the physical layer bit streams. Coded bit streamelement 2302 codes a bit stream received from upper PHY layer 113.Symbol mapper 2304 maps the coded bit stream to the physical datasymbols 124, and equalizer 2306 performs equalization of the physicaldata symbols 124. Modulator 2308 modulates the carrier signal such thatthe carrier signal is encoded with physical data symbols 124.Accordingly, FEC occurs in upper PHY layer 113, and FEC does not occurin lower PHY layer 112.

Second communication device 104 is configured to receive physical datasymbols 124 from communication medium 106(N) and convert receivedphysical data symbols 124 into transmission entities 126. In particular,PHY layers 116 and 117 collectively control demodulation of a carriersignal received from communication medium 106(N) to obtain data symbols124, and universal data link 114 controls conversion of receivedphysical data symbols 124 into transmission entities 126. Lower PHYlayer 116 includes a coded bit stream element, a symbol mapper, anequalizer, and a modulator, analogous to those of lower PHY layer 112.Upper PHY layer 117 includes a bit stream element and a FEC elementanalogous to those of upper PHY layer 113. Transmission entities 126include at least some of the same payload as transmission entities 122,but transmission entities 126 need not be identical to transmissionentities 122. Data links 110 and 114 are “universal” in the sense thatthey control transmission of physical data symbols over multipledifferent communication media 106 types, as discussed below.

In this document, the term “transmission entity” refers to a unit ofdata for traveling along a network path, where the unit of data includesa header and a payload. For example, a transmission entity 122 mayinclude a header with routing information and payload containing data tobe transmitted by network 100. Examples of a transmission entitiesinclude, but are not limited to, data frames, data packets, datasegments, and similar data elements known to those of ordinary skill inthe art. Additionally, in this document, the term “physical data symbol”refers to the state or condition of a communication medium that persistsfor a fixed period of time and represents one or more bits of data. Forexample, a physical data symbol 124 may be an electrical, optical, orelectromagnetic (including in the radio frequency domain) burst orcontinuous signal on a communication medium 106.

In some embodiments, first communication device 102 internally generatestransmission entities 122, while in some other embodiments, firstcommunication device 102 receives transmission entities 122 from anexternal source (not shown). Furthermore, first communication device 102optionally performs functions in addition to converting transmissionentities into physical data symbols, and vice versa. In someembodiments, first communication device 102 is one or more of atelecommunication network switch (e.g., a long-term evolution (LTE)wireless communication network switch, a fifth generation (5G) wirelesscommunication network switch, or a sixth generation (6G) wirelesscommunication network switch), a modem termination system (MTS) (e.g., acable modem termination system (CMTS) or an evolved modem terminationsystem (EMTS)), a concentrator, a digital subscriber line accessmultiplexer (DSLAM), a modem, and an optical network termination device.

In some embodiments, second communication device 104 internally usestransmission entities 126, while in some other embodiments, secondcommunication device 104 transmits transmission entities 126 to anexternal device or system (not shown). Furthermore, second communicationdevice 104 optionally performs functions in addition to convertingtransmission entities into physical data symbols, and vice versa. Insome embodiments, second communication device 104 is one or more of amodem, an optical network termination device, a wireless communicationbase station (e.g., a Bluetooth wireless communication base station, aLTE wireless communication base station, 5G wireless communication basestation, a 5G New Radio (5G NR) wireless communication base station, 6Gwireless communication base station, or a scheduled Wi-Fi base station),a wireless access point, user equipment (e.g., a mobile telephone, atablet computer, or a personal computer), and an Internet-of-Things(IoT) device. In particular embodiments, second communication device 104supports multiple end points or clients, e.g., up 1, 4, 8, or 32 endpoints or clients, such as by performing network address translation(NAT).

Communication media 106 communicatively couple first communicationdevice 102 and second communication device 104. In particular,communication media 106 receive physical data symbols 124 from firstcommunication device 102 and transmit physical data symbols 124 tosecond communication device 104. Each communication medium 106 includes,for example, a fiber optic cable communication medium, a coaxial cablecommunication medium, a twisted-pair cable communication medium, or awireless communication medium (e.g., a LTE wireless communicationmedium, a 5G wireless communication medium, a 6G wireless communicationmedium, or a scheduled Wi-Fi communication medium). In particularembodiments, at least two of the N communication mediums 106 aredifferent types of communication mediums 106, such as discussed belowwith respect to FIGS. 3-9. Additionally, in some embodiments, at leasttwo of the N communication mediums 106 have different respective maximumcommunication bandwidths. In embodiments where communication media 106include cables, each communication medium 106 may include a single cableor multiple cables, e.g., multiple parallel-coupled cables.Additionally, in embodiments where communication media 106 include awireless communication medium, the wireless communication medium mayinclude a single pair of wireless transducers or multiple pairs ofwireless transducers. Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more ofcommunication media 106 are configured to transmit physical data symbols124 in a manner which simultaneously carries data for two or morecommunications. For example, in some embodiments, communication media106 are configured to implement one or more of a orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing (OFDM) technique, a wave duplex multiplexing (DM)technique, and a coherent optics technique to simultaneously transmittwo or more communications.

Adjacent communication mediums 106 are communicatively coupled by arespective PHY translator 108. For example, communication medium 106(1)is communicatively coupled with communication medium 106(2) by PHYtranslator 108(1), and communication medium 106(N−1) is communicativelycoupled with communication medium 106(N) by PHY translator 108(N−1).Each PHY translator 108 translates physical data symbols received fromone of its respective communication mediums 106 for transmission throughthe other of its respective communication mediums 106. For example, PHYtranslator 108(1) translates physical data symbols 124 received fromcommunication medium 106(1) for transmission through communicationmedium 106(2), and PHY translator 108(N−1) translates physical datasymbols 124 received from communication medium 106(N−1) for transmissionthrough communication medium 106(N).

PHY translators 108 may interface communication mediums 106 havingdifferent modulation schemes (MS s), different operating opticalcharacteristics, different electrical characteristics, and/or differentradio characteristics. For example, in an embodiment, communicationmedium 106(1) uses a first MS, and communication medium 106(2) uses asecond MS. In this embodiment, PHY translator 108(1) demodulates acarrier signal received from communication medium 106(1) into datasymbols 124 using the first MS, and PHY translator 108(1) then modulatesthe data symbols 124 onto a carrier signal being transmitted throughcommunication medium 106(2) using the second MS. As another example, inan embodiment, communication medium 106(N−1) includes a fiber opticcable communication medium, and communication medium 106(N) includes awireless communication medium. In this embodiment, PHY translator108(N−1) demodulates an optical carrier signal received fromcommunication medium 106(N) into physical data symbols 124, and PHYtranslator 108(N−1) then modulates physical data symbols 124 onto aradio-frequency carrier signal being transmitted through communicationmedium 106(N).

In some embodiments, PHY translators 108 operate according to a commonsystem clock, e.g., according to the same clock signal as firstcommunication device 102 and/or second communication device 104. In someother embodiments, all clocks of network 100 are derived from a lowestcommon denominator clock. For example, in one embodiment, one or moredevices of network 100 operate at a 200 MHz clock signal, and one ormore devices of network 100 operate at a multiple of the 200 MHz clocksignal, e.g., at a 800 MHz clock signal, a 1.6 GHz clock signal, and/or3.2 GHz clock signal, derived from the 200 MHz clock signal.

In particular embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, PHYtranslators 108 implement lower PHY layers analogous to those of FIG.23, but PHY translators 108 do not implement upper PHY layers analogousto those of FIG. 22. Lower PHY layers of PHY translators 108 aredepicted in dashed lines in the figures herein to indicate that theselayers are virtual layers instead of physical layers. For example, insome embodiments, a processor (not shown) of PHY translator 108(1)executes instructions in the form of software or firmware stored in amemory (not shown) of PHY translator 108(1) to implement lower PHY 1layer and lower PHY 2 layer.

In certain embodiments, PHY translators 108 are limited to performingmodulation and demodulation, while in some other embodiments, PHYtranslators 108 perform additional functions. For example, in particularembodiments, one or more PHY translators 108 perform equalization tocorrect for distortion in a carrier signal received from a respectivecommunication medium 106. In these embodiments, equalization isoptionally performed dynamically, e.g., the type of equalizationperformed varies according to application of network 100. For example, afirst type of equalization may be performed when network 100 transmits afirst type of data, and a second type of equalization may be performedwhen network 100 transmits a second type of data.

Importantly, PHY translators 108 do not convert physical data symbols124 into transmission entities when translating the physical layer datasymbols from one communication medium 106 to another communicationmedium 106. To help appreciate this point, consider FIG. 2, which is aschematic diagram illustrating a network 200 implementing conventionaldata links. Network 200 includes a first communication device 202, asecond communication device 204, an interface device 206, a firstcommunication medium 208, and a second communication medium 210. Firstcommunication device 202 converts transmission entities 212 intophysical data symbols 214, and first communication medium 208 transmitsphysical data symbols 214 to interface device 206. Interface device 206converts physical data symbols 214 received from first communicationmedium 208, equalizes the physical data symbols and demaps them intocoded bitstreams, decodes the FEC to recover original bit stream that isconverted into transmission entities. Interface device 206 takestransmission entities and conducts MAC layer processing (i.e.switching), i.e., interface device 206 converts the transmissionentities to physical layer bit streams, FEC encodes the bitstreams intolonger coded bitstreams, then maps coded bitstreams into a different setof data symbols 218 for transmission through second communication medium210. Second communication medium 210 transmits physical data symbols 218to second communication device 204. Second communication device 204equalizes the physical data symbols and demaps them to recover codedbitstream, decodes the FEC recover the original uncoded physical layerbitstream into transmission entities 220. Thus, interface device 206converts physical data symbols into transmission entities and thenconverts the transmission entities back into physical data symbols, tointerface first communication medium 208 with second communicationmedium 210. Consequently, data travels through at least two OSI layerswhen transitioning between first communication medium 208 and secondcommunication medium 210. This may introduce latency, jitter, and errorsin the communication from first communication device 202 to secondcommunication device 204.

Referring again to FIG. 1, PHY translators 108 do not convert physicaldata symbols 124 into transmission entities when translating the datasymbols from one communication medium 106 to another communicationmedium 106. PHY translator 108(1), for example, converts physical datasymbols 124 received from first communication medium 106, equalizes thephysical data symbols and demaps them into coded bitstreams, and PHYtranslator 108(1) then maps coded bitstreams into a different set ofdata symbols 124 for transmission through second communication medium106. The other PHY translators 108 operate in an analogous fashion.Consequently, in contrast to network 200 of FIG. 2, data does not travelthrough multiple OSI layers when transitioning between communicationmedia 106. Instead, universal data links 110 and 114 controltransmission of physical data symbols over multiple differentcommunication media 106 types without requiring intervening data links,such as the data links of interface device 206 of FIG. 2. Thetransmission stays below the FEC coding and decoding process. There isno FEC decoding at PHY translators 108, in particular embodiments. Thecoded bit streams are passed from one communication medium 106 to thenext. FEC coding and decoding takes place only at the end-points, e.g.at first communication device 102 and second communication device 104.Applicant has found that these features of network 100 may achievesignificant advantages.

For example, use of universal data links 110 and 114 eliminates the needfor conversion between physical data symbols and transmission entitieswhen transitioning between communication mediums 106, thereby promotingfast transfer of data by network 100. Indeed, in particular embodiments,there is little buffering of physical data symbols 124, or even nobuffering of physical data symbols 124, when translating the physicaldata symbols between communication mediums 106. Consequently, certainembodiments of network 100 may achieve significantly lower datatransmission latency than networks which implement conventional datalinks. Additionally, time required to convert between physical datasymbols and transmission entities may vary depending on networkoperating conditions, resulting in non-deterministic latency and jitterin conventional networks, where jitter is variation in latency. Use ofuniversal data links 110 and 114, however, eliminates such need forconversion between physical data symbols and transmission entities alongcommunication media 106, as discussed above. Therefore, certainembodiments of network 100 may advantageously have deterministic latencyand experience lower jitter than networks implementing conventional datalinks. Furthermore, in particular embodiments, use of universal datalinks 110 and 114 may promote network throughput and/or efficientbandwidth usage.

Furthermore, use of universal data links 110 and 114 enables use of asingle data link pair for transmission across multiple communicationmediums 106. Therefore, a single data transmission protocol can be usedto transmit data across all communication media 106, which promotes lowlatency. Possible examples of a single data transmission protocolinclude, but are not limited to, a LTE protocol, a data over cableservice interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a scheduled Wi-Fiprotocol, a 5G wireless transmission protocol, and a 6G wirelesstransmission protocol. Additionally, use of a single data transmissionprotocol may simplify network management and reduce or eliminate theneed for proprietary data communication protocols. Moreover, in certainembodiments, universal data links 110 and 114 are transport mediumagnostic, or stated differently, certain embodiments of universal datalinks 110 and 114 can be used with essentially any type of communicationmedium 106, as long as requisite PHY translators 108 are available,which promotes ease of network design, ease of network upgrading, andease of network component procurement.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, PHY translators 108 have limitedfunctionality, e.g., in some embodiments, PHY translators 108 merelyperform modulation/demodulation with optional equalization. As a result,use of universal data links 110 and 114 helps reduce complexity ofequipment in the “field”, i.e. equipment along communication media 106.Therefore, network 100 may be simpler to build, lower in cost, and/oreasier to operate than networks implementing conventional data links.Additionally, the potential relative simplicity of PHY translators 108helps enable centralized control and/or monitoring of network 100, sincethe majority of data processing may occur at endpoints of network 100,instead of along communication media 106.

In an embodiment, physical data symbols may be transmitted through eachcommunication medium 106 at a common data transmission rate.Consequently, communication bandwidth of network 100 will be limited tothe maximum communication bandwidth of whichever communication medium106 has a lowest maximum communication bandwidth. For example, ifcommunication medium 106(2) has a lowest maximum communication bandwidthof all communication mediums 106, communication bandwidth of network 100cannot exceed the maximum communication bandwidth of communication media106(2). However, advances in communication media technology haveresulted in significant increases in communication media bandwidth, andfurther bandwidth advances are anticipated in the future. Therefore,limitations in communication bandwidth of communication media 106 maynot be of significant consequence in network 100. In alternativeembodiments, physical data symbols may be transmitted through eachcommunication medium 106 at data transmission rate optimized for thatmedia, data type, Quality of Service (QoS), etc.

In some embodiments, network 100 is configured such that two or morecommunication media 106 have an equal channel capacity or apredetermined relationship between channel capacity. For example, inparticular embodiments, network 100 is configured such that two or morecommunication media 106 have a common channel capacity. It should beappreciated that common channel capacity can be achieved withoutnecessarily having a common bandwidth. For instance, TABLE 1 below showsone example of how network 100 could be configured so that channels oftwo or more different communication mediums 106 have a common channelcapacity. In TABLE 1, “Transport Medium” refers to communication medium106 type, e.g., a fiber optic cable communication medium (Fiber), acoaxial cable communication medium (Coax), or a wireless communicationmedium (Wireless). In the example of TABLE 1, common channel capacity isachieved even though communication media 106 do not necessarily have acommon bandwidth. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating oneexample of a PHY translator 108 embodiment transmitting physical datasymbols 124 from a coaxial cable communication medium to a 3.5 GHzwireless communication medium according to the example of TABLE 1.

TABLE 1 Total Total Channel Channel Total Symbol Rate TransportFrequency/ Spectrum Capacity Capacity Spectrum Number of Bits per Numberof Ratio (200 MHz Medium Range Modulation Avail (GHz) (Gbps) (Gbps) Used(MHz) Channels Symbol Polarizations Reference) Coax Baseband 4096 QAM  448 2.4 200 20 12 1 1 Wireless 3.5 GHz  64 QAM 0.6 7.2 2.4 200 3 6 2 1Wireless  6 GHz 64 QAM 1 12 2.4 200 5 6 2 1 Wireless 28 GHz  8 QAM 1 62.4 400 2 3 2 2 Wireless 60 GHz QPSK 8 32 2.4 600 13 2 2 3 FiberBaseband NRZ-OOK 10 10 2.4 2400 4 1 1 12 Fiber Baseband QPSK 25 100 2.4600 41 2 2 3

Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, network 100 isconfigured to support a 200 MHz, 1 bit per symbol, no polaritydiversity, no multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO), control channel.In particular embodiments, network 100 is configured to support carrieraggregation, e.g., by mapping from one center frequency to another usingequivalent channels. In some embodiments, network 100 is configured toimplement a per-channel time-division multiple access (TMDA) scheme toachieve wide bandwidth which matches that of optical and radio-frequencymedia.

Network 100 is capable of two-way transmission. Specifically, not onlyis network 100 cable of transmitting data from first communicationdevice 102 to second communication device 104, network 100 is alsocapable of transmitting data from second communication device 104 tofirst communication device 102. In particular, second communicationdevice 104 is configured to obtain transmission entities 128, such asfrom a network layer internal to or external to second communicationdevice 104, and convert transmission entities 128 into data symbols 130.In particular, universal data link 114 controls conversion oftransmission entities 128 into physical data symbols 130, and PHY layers116 and 117 collectively control generation of a carrier signal (notshown) on communication medium 106(N) and modulation of the carriersignal such that the carrier signal is encoded with physical datasymbols 130. In some embodiments, second communication device 104internally generates transmission entities 128, while in some otherembodiments, second communication device 104 receives transmissionentities 128 from an external source (not shown).

Communication media 106 receive physical data symbols 130 from secondcommunication device 104 and transmit physical data symbols 130 to firstcommunication device 102. Each PHY translator 108 translates physicaldata symbols 130 received from one of its respective communicationmediums 106 for transmission through the other of its respectivecommunication mediums 106 in a manner like that discussed above withrespect to physical data symbols 124. For example, PHY translators 108do not convert physical data symbols 130 into transmission entities whentranslating the physical data symbols from one communication medium 106to another communication medium 106.

First communication device 102 is configured to receive physical datasymbols 130 from communication medium 106(1) and convert receivedphysical data symbols 130 into transmission entities 132. In particular,PHY layers 112 and 113 collectively control demodulation of a carriersignal received from communication medium 106(1) to obtain physical datasymbols 130, and universal data link 110 controls conversion of receivedphysical data symbols 130 into transmission entities 132. Transmissionentities 132 include at least some of the same payload as transmissionentities 128, but transmission entities 132 need not be identical totransmission entities 128. In some embodiments, first communicationdevice 102 internally uses transmission entities 132, while in someother embodiments, first communication device 102 transmits transmissionentities 132 to an external device or system (not shown).

In certain alternate embodiments, network 100 is only capable of one-waydata transmission, e.g., network 100 is only capable of transmittingdata from first communication device 102 to second communication device104, or vice versa. In these alternate embodiments, communication media106 need only be capable of one-way data transmission. Additionally, inthese alternate embodiments, PHY translators 108 need only be capable ofone-way translation.

As discussed above, some embodiments of network 100 are capable ofperforming FEC, which is also known as channel coding, at end points ofcommunication media 106, thereby potentially eliminating the need forFEC along communication media 106. In these embodiments, firstcommunication device generates transmission entities 122 such that eachtransmission entity 122 includes an error-correcting code, and secondcommunication device 104 corrects any transmission errors that occurredduring transmission of data symbols across communication media 106 usingthe error correcting codes. The error correcting codes, for example,encode data in a redundant manner to potentially enable transmissionerrors to be corrected without retransmitting data through communicationmedia 106. The type of FEC is selected, for example, to adequatelycorrect errors of a most error-prone instance of communication mediums106. In some embodiments, the FEC is dynamic, i.e., the type of FECperformed by first communication device 102 and second communicationdevice 104 may vary depending on the application of network 100, e.g.,depending on the type of data being transmitted by network 100. Certainembodiments of network 100 are also capable of performing FEC whentransmitting data from second communication device 104 to firstcommunication device 102.

It should be noted that network 100 is not limited to performing FEC atthe end points of communication media 106. To the contrary, FEC could beperformed along communication media 106, e.g., at one or more PHYtranslators 108, in addition to, or in place of, FEC at the end pointsof communication media 106.

Network 100 can include additional elements without departing from thescope hereof. For example, some embodiments include one or more relays,e.g., bufferless relays, communicatively coupling instances ofcommunication media 106. Additionally, network 100 is not limited toparticular applications but instead could be implemented in a variety ofapplications, including but not limited to backhaul applications,fronthaul applications, residential access applications, and/orcommercial access applications.

Discussed below with respect to FIGS. 3-9 are several exampleembodiments of network 100. It should be appreciated, however, thatnetwork 100 is not limited to the examples of FIG. 3-9.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network 300 which is anembodiment of network 100 where (a) communication media 106 isimplemented with a fiber optic cable communication medium 306(1) and acoaxial cable communication medium 306(2) and (b) PHY translator 108(1)is implemented by a PHY translator 308. In some embodiments, PHYtranslator 308 is located at a tap or in a home, e.g., network 300represents a fiber to the tap application or a fiber to the homeapplication. Although each of the fiber optic cable and the coaxialcable is depicted as a single cable in FIG. 3, one or more of thesecables could be implemented by multiple cables. PHY translator 308 isconfigured to translate physical data symbols 124 received from thefiber optic cable for transmission through the coaxial cable, and PHYtranslator 308 is further configured to translate physical data symbols130 received from the coaxial cable for transmission through the fiberoptic cable.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network 400 which is anembodiment of network 100 where (a) communication media 106 isimplemented with a fiber optic cable communication medium 406(1) and atwisted-pair cable communication medium 406(2) and (b) PHY translator108(1) is implemented by a PHY translator 408. Although each of thefiber optic cable and the twisted pair cable is depicted as a singlecable in FIG. 4, one or more of these cables could be implemented bymultiple cables. PHY translator 408 is configured to translate physicaldata symbols 124 received from the fiber optic cable for transmissionthrough the twisted-pair cable, and PHY translator 408 is furtherconfigured to translate physical data symbols 130 received from thetwisted-pair cable for transmission through the fiber optic cable.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network 500 which is anembodiment of network 100 where (a) communication media 106 isimplemented with a fiber optic cable communication medium 506(1) and awireless communication medium 506(2) and (b) PHY translator 108(1) isimplemented by a PHY translator 508. Although the fiber optic cable isdepicted as a single cable in FIG. 5, the fiber optic cable could beimplemented by multiple cables. Wireless communication medium 506(2)includes two transceivers 501 and 503 which wirelessly communicate viaradio-frequency signals 505. Wireless communication medium 506(2) is forexample, a LTE wireless communication medium, a 5G wirelesscommunication medium, a 6G wireless communication medium, or a scheduledWi-Fi communication medium. PHY translator 508 is configured totranslate physical data symbols 124 received from the fiber optic cablefor transmission through the wireless communication medium, and PHYtranslator 508 is further configured to translate physical data symbols130 received from the wireless communication medium for transmissionthrough the fiber optic cable.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network 600 which is anembodiment of network 100 where (a) communication media 106 isimplemented with a fiber optic cable communication medium 606(1), acoaxial cable communication medium 606(2), and a wireless communicationmedium 606(3), and (b) PHY translators 108(1) and 108(2) are implementedby a PHY translator 608(1) and a PHY translator 608(2), respectively.Although the fiber optic cable and the coaxial cable are each depictedas a single cable in FIG. 6, one or more of these cables could beimplemented by multiple cables. Wireless communication medium 606(3)includes two transceivers 601 and 603 which wirelessly communicate viaradio-frequency signals 605. Wireless communication medium 606(3) is forexample, a LTE wireless communication medium, a 5G wirelesscommunication medium, a 6G wireless communication medium, or a scheduledWiFi communication medium. PHY translator 608(1) is configured totranslate physical data symbols 124 received from the fiber optic cablefor transmission through the coaxial cable communication medium, and PHYtranslator 608(1) is further configured to translate physical datasymbols 130 received from the coaxial cable communication medium fortransmission through the fiber optic cable communication medium. PHYtranslator 608(2) is configured to translate physical data symbols 124received from the coaxial cable communication medium for transmissionthrough the wireless communication medium, and PHY translator 608(2) isfurther configured to translate physical data symbols 130 received fromthe wireless communication medium for transmission through the coaxialcable communication medium.

Although the networks discussed above include two communication devices,the networks could be scaled to include three or more communicationdevices implementing universal data links. For example, FIG. 7 is aschematic diagram illustrating a network 700, which is similar tonetwork 300 of FIG. 3, but including a plurality of second communicationdevices 104 communicatively coupled with coaxial cable communicationmedium 306(2). Although FIG. 7 shows network 700 as including 16 secondcommunication devices 104, network 700 could include a different numberof second communication devices 104 without departing from the scopehereof.

Each second communication device 104 operates in the same manner innetwork 700 as in networks 100 and 300. For example, each secondcommunication device 104 is configured to receive physical data symbols124 from coaxial cable communication medium 306(2) and convert receivedphysical data symbols 124 into transmission entities 126. Additionally,each second communication device 104 is configured to obtaintransmission entities 128 and convert transmission entities 128 intophysical data symbols 130. Each second communication device 104implements a respective universal data link 114 and a respective PHYlayer 116 (not shown in FIG. 7).

In some embodiments, first communication device 102 is configured tosimultaneously send physical data symbols 124 to each secondcommunication device 104, such as to broadcast data to all secondcommunication devices 104 (multipoint communication). In some otherembodiments, first communication device 102 is configured to sendphysical data symbols 124 to only one second communication device 104,or to only a subset of second communication devices 104, at a giventime, such as for selective communication with a given secondcommunication device 104 (point to point communication). In otherembodiments, first communication device 102 is configured to supportboth simultaneous broadcast to second communication devices 104 andselective communication with a subset of second communication devices104.

Additionally, in some embodiments, first communication device 102 isfurther configured to support a plurality of data transmissionprotocols. In these embodiments, first communication device 102 isoptionally further configured to (a) sense a data transmission protocolof each second communication device 104 and (b) communicate with eachsecond communication device 104 using its respective data transmissionprotocol. For example, assume that in a certain embodiment secondcommunication device 104(1) uses a data transmission protocol A andsecond communication device 104(2) uses a data transmission protocol B.In particular embodiments, first communication device 102 is configuredto sense that second communication devices 104(1) and 104(2) use datatransmission protocols A and B, respectively, and first communicationdevice 102 is configured to communicate with second communicationdevices 104(1) and 104(2) using data transmission protocols A and B,respectively.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example of a network including a plurality ofcommunication devices. Specifically, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagramillustrating a cable television network 800 implementing a universaldata link. Network 800 includes a MTS 802, PHY translators 804,amplifiers 806, fiber optic communication mediums 810, coaxial cablecommunication mediums 812, coaxial cable taps 814, customer-premisesequipment (CPE) 816, and wireless base stations 818. Only some instancesof coaxial cable taps 814 and CPE 816 are labeled in FIG. 8 to promoteillustrative clarity. Fiber optic communication mediums 810communicatively couple PHY translators 804 with MTS 802, and coaxialcable communication mediums 812 communicatively couple PHY translators804 with coaxial cable taps 814.

MTS 802 receives data 820 from an external device (not shown), and MTS802 generates physical data symbols from data 820 for transmission toclients on network 800, e.g., for transmission to clients in the formCPE 816 and wireless base stations 818. MTS 802 also receives physicaldata symbols from network clients, and MTS implements a universal datalink. Accordingly, MTS 802 is analogous to first communication device102 of FIGS. 1 and 3-7. Fiber optic communication mediums 810 andcoaxial cable communication mediums 812 collectively transfer physicaldata symbols between MTS 802 and network clients, and therefore, fiberoptic communication mediums 810 and coaxial cable communication mediums812 are analogous to communication media 106 of FIGS. 1 and 3-7. PHYtranslators 804 translate physical data symbols received from fiberoptic communication mediums 810 for transmission through coaxial cablecommunication mediums 812, and PHY translators 804 further translatephysical data symbols received from coaxial cable communication mediums812 for transmission through fiber optic communication mediums 810.Thus, each PHY translator 804 is analogous to PHY translator 308 of FIG.3. Amplifiers 806 amplify radio-frequency carrier symbols, which areencoded with physical data symbols, to help ensure integrity of theradio-frequency carrier signals at network clients.

Each coaxial cable tap 814 serves as a point for coupling a respectivenetwork client, e.g., a CPE 816 instance or a wireless base station 818,to a coaxial cable communication medium 812. While many coaxial cabletaps 814 are shown in FIG. 8 without a respective network client coupledthereto to promote illustrative clarity, it is anticipated that in manyembodiments of network 800, a respective network client would be coupledto the majority of coaxial cable taps 814.

Each CPE 816 instance includes, for example, a cable modem or a cabletelevision set-top box. Additional devices, such as computers and mobiletelephones, may in-turn be communicatively coupled to each CPE 816. Eachwireless base station 818 is, for example, a LTE wireless base station,a 5G wireless base station, a 6G wireless base station, or a scheduledWiFi wireless base station. In particular embodiments, each CPE 816instance and each wireless base station 818 implements a respectiveuniversal data link, and therefore, each CPE 816 instance and eachwireless base station 818 is analogous to a second communication device104. Accordingly, in these embodiments, physical data symbols aretransmitted between (a) MTS 802 and (b) CPE 816 and wireless basestations 818 without being converted into transmission entities whentransitioning between fiber optic communication mediums 810 and coaxialcable communication mediums 812. For example, data symbols aretransmitted between MTS 802 and CPE 816(1) without being converted totransmission entities when transitioning between fiber opticcommunication mediums 810 and coaxial cable communication mediums 812.As another example, data symbols are transmitted between MTS 802 andwireless base station 818(1) without being converted to transmissionentities when transitioning between fiber optic communication mediums810 and coaxial cable communication mediums 812.

Changes may be made to network 800 without departing from the scopehereof. For example, the number and type of network clients could bechanged, and/or the topology of network 800 could be changed.Additionally, the type of devices implementing universal data linkscould be changed. For example, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagramillustrating a cable television network 900 which is similar to network800 but with universal data links moved from wireless base stations 818to clients of wireless base stations 818, e.g., to mobile telephones(not shown) connecting to wireless base stations 818. Each wireless basestation 818 is interfaced to a coaxial cable communication medium 812via a respective PHY translator 902. Each PHY translator 902 translatesphysical data symbols between a coaxial cable communication medium 812and a wireless communication medium of a respective wireless basestation 818 without converting the data symbols into transmissionentities. Thus, each PHY translator 902 is analogous to PHY translator608(2) of FIG. 6. In this alternate embodiment, physical data symbolsare transmitted between fiber optic communication mediums 810 andcoaxial cable communication mediums 812, as well as between coaxialcable communication mediums 812 and wireless communication mediums ofwireless base stations 822, without being converted into transmissionentities. Applicant envisions the universal data link techniquesdisclosed herein being applicable to many more different types ofnetworks, including but not limited those disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/878,258, filed on Jan. 23, 2018, which isincorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/878,258 discloses, in part, techniques for carrying and multiplexinga plurality of heterogenous optical transport signals on a singleoptical fiber.

Particular embodiments of the networks disclosed herein are configuredto control data transmission to achieve dedicated transmission channels,scheduled transmission channels, or a combination of dedicated andscheduled channels. For example, in some embodiments, firstcommunication device 102 is further configured such that its universaldata link 110 organizes data to be transmitted to sixteen secondcommunication devices 104, such as in the FIG. 7 example embodiment,into downlink transmission entity 1000. One example of a downlinktransmission entity 1000 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 10.Downlink transmission entity 1000 includes a data allocation portion, adedicated resource portion, and 16 scheduled resource portions. Thus, aratio of scheduled resources to dedicated resources is 16 to 1 in thisembodiment.

The data allocation portion of downlink transmission entity 1000provides, for example, transmission instructions for secondcommunication devices 104. For example, the data allocation portion mayspecify a time, frequency, and/or other dimension for secondcommunication devices 104 to transmit data. The data allocation portionof downlink transmission entity 1000 may also specify a configuration ofdownlink transmission entity 1000 and/or a configuration of counterpartuplink transmission entities. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagramillustrating the dedicated resource portion of downlink transmissionentity 1000. The dedicated resource portion is divided into sixteenslots, i.e., one slot for each second communication device 104. Eachsecond communication device 104 may use its respective dedicated slotfor dedicated downlink communication with first communication device102.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating one scheduled resourceportion of downlink transmission entity 1000. Each scheduled resourceportion includes 16 scheduled slots, which may be scheduled by firstcommunication device 102 for transmitting data from first communicationdevice 102 to one or more second communication devices 104. For example,if second communication device 104(2) needs to receive a large amount ofdata that could not be timely handed by its respective dedicatedresource slot, first communication device 102 may schedule one or morescheduled resource portions of downlink transmission entity 1000 fortransmission of data from first communication device 102 to secondcommunication device 104(2). Accordingly, embodiments of firstcommunication device 102 that are configured to generate downlinktransmission entity 1000 can schedule downlink for multiple secondcommunication devices 104.

The number of dedicated resources and/or the number of scheduledresources of downlink transmission entity 1000 could be modified withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. For example, several scheduled resourceportions could be replaced with dedicated resource portions to achieve amore balanced ratio of scheduled resources to dedicated resources. Asanother example, the number of dedicated slots in the dedicated resourceportion could be modified to support a different number of secondcommunication devices 104.

In some embodiments, second communication devices 104 are furtherconfigured such that their universal data links 114 organize data to betransmitted to first communication device 102 into uplink transmissionentity 1300. One example of a uplink transmission entity 1300 isschematically illustrated in FIG. 13. Uplink transmission entity 1300 issimilar to downlink transmission entity 1000, but uplink transmissionentity 1300 does not include a data allocation portion. FIG. 14 is aschematic diagram illustrating the dedicated resource portion of uplinktransmission entity 1300, and FIG. 15 is a schematic diagramillustrating one scheduled resource portion of uplink transmissionentity 1300. Uplink transmission entity 1300 operates in a mannersimilar to that of downlink transmission entity 1000. For example, eachdedicated slot is for use by one second communication device 104 fordedicated data transmission to device first communication device 102,and uplink transmission entity can also be scheduled among secondcommunication devices 104. Additionally, the number of dedicatedresources, the number of scheduled resources, the number of dedicatedslots, and/or the number of scheduled slots of uplink transmissionentity 1300 could be modified without departing from the scope hereof.

Applicant has found that particular combinations of communication mediamay be particularly advantageous in certain applications. For example,FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a physical-layer translatornode 1600 which is fed by a fiber optic communication medium 1602, suchas from a first communication device 102 (not shown in FIG. 16). Node1600 includes seven PHY translators, symbolically shown as a singleelement 1604 in FIG. 16. The first four PHY translators translatephysical data symbols between fiber optic communication medium 1602 andrespective coaxial cable communication mediums, labeled asradio-frequency (RF) domains, without converting the physical datasymbols into transmission entities. The remaining three PHY translatorstranslate physical data symbols between fiber optic communication medium1602 and respective wireless communication mediums, labeled as wirelesscoverage areas, without converting the physical data symbols intotransmission entities. Applicant has found that this particularcombination of communication media may offer a good compromise betweenachieving high-performance wireless communication and maintainingsufficient capacity for coaxial cable communication media clients.

There is a trend in the communication industry to extend fiber opticcommunication media closer to end users, such as increase availablecapacity to end users. FIG. 17 illustrates one example of howphysical-layer translator node 1600 of FIG. 16 can be modified to extendfiber optic communication media closer to end users. Specifically, FIG.17 is a schematic diagram illustrating four physical-layer translatornodes 1700 which collectively cover approximately the same physical areaas single physical-layer translator node 1600 of FIG. 16. Each node 1700is communicatively coupled to a PHY translator 1706 by a respectivefiber optic communication medium 1708, and PHY translator 1706 is fed bya fiber optic communication medium 1710, such as from a firstcommunication device 102 (not shown in FIG. 17). PHY translator 1706translates physical data symbols between fiber optic communicationmedium 1710 and fiber optic communication media 1708, without convertingthe data symbols to transmission entities.

Similar to node 1600 of FIG. 16, each node 1700 includes seven PHYtranslators, symbolically shown as a single element 1704 in each node1700. In each node 1700, the first four PHY translators of the nodetranslate physical data symbols between fiber optic communication medium1708 and respective coaxial cable communication mediums, labeled asradio-frequency (RF) domains, without converting the physical datasymbols into transmission entities. The remaining three PHY translatorsof the node translate physical data symbols between fiber opticcommunication medium 1708 and respective wireless communication mediums,labeled as wireless coverage areas, without converting the data symbolsinto transmission entities.

Applicant has additionally developed a wireless base stationconfiguration which helps minimize power required to provide wirelesscommunication coverage. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating aportion 1800 of a network providing wireless communication servicewithin a building 1802 and outside of building 1802. In network portion1800, at least one indoor wireless base station 1804 is disposed withinbuilding 1802, and at least one outdoor wireless base station 1806 isdisposed outside of building 1802. Importantly, indoor wireless basestation(s) 1804 are configured to substantially cover only an interiorof building 1802, and outdoor wireless base station(s) 1806 areconfigured to substantially cover only an exterior of building 1802.Consequently, neither signals of indoor wireless base stations 1804 norsignals of outdoor wireless base stations 1806 need to penetrate anenvelope of building 1802. As a result, both indoor wireless basestations 1804 and outdoor wireless base stations 1806 can potentiallyoperate at a relatively low power level, e.g., with an output power of 1watt, which promotes energy conservation.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a PHY translator 1900. PHYtranslator 1900 is one possible embodiment of PHY translator 108, but itshould be appreciated that PHY translator 108 could be implemented in adifferent manner than that illustrated in FIG. 19. PHY translator 1900includes equalization circuitry 1902, demodulation circuitry 1904,modulation circuitry 1908, equalization circuitry 1910, demodulationcircuitry 1912, and modulation circuitry 1914. Equalization circuitry1902, demodulation circuitry 1904, and modulation circuitry 1908collectively translate physical data symbols in a forward direction,i.e., from communication medium N−1 to communication medium N.Specifically, equalization circuitry 1902 receives a carrier signal fromcommunication medium N−1 and generates a corrected signal 1916, tocorrect for distortion in the carrier signal, such as by causing afrequency response of communication medium N−1 to be essentially flat inat least a range of frequencies occupied by the carrier signal. In aparticular embodiment, equalization circuitry 1902 includes a digitalequalizer implementing a linear equalizer, a decision feedbackequalizer, a blind equalizer, a Viterbi equalizer, a BCJR equalizer, ora Turbo equalizer.

Demodulation circuitry 1904 demodulates corrected signal 1916 togenerate a demodulated signal 1918. Demodulation circuitry 1904demodulates corrected signal 1916 according a MS of communication mediumN−1. Modulation circuitry 1908 modulates a carrier signal to betransmitted by communication medium N according to demodulation signal1918. Modulation circuitry 1908 modulates the carrier signal accordingto the MS of communication medium N.

Equalization circuitry 1910, demodulation circuitry 1912, and modulationcircuitry 1914 collectively translate physical data symbols in a reversedirection, i.e., from communication medium N to communication mediumN−1. Equalization circuitry 1910, demodulation circuitry 1912,modulation circuitry 1914 operate in the same manner as equalizationcircuitry 1902, demodulation circuitry 1904, and modulation circuitry1908, respectively, but translate data symbols in a reverse direction.

In some embodiments, modulation circuitry 1908 and modulation circuitry1914 perform delta-sigma modulation, and demodulation circuitry 1904 anddemodulation circuitry 1912 perform delta-sigma demodulation. Someexamples of delta-sigma modulation and delta-sigma demodulation aredisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/875,336, filed on Jan.26, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples ofmulti-band delta-sigma modulation are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/191,315, filed on Nov. 14, 2018, which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating a method 2000 for transmitting datathrough a multi-media communication network using a universal data link.In block 2002, transmission entities are converted into physical datasymbols at a first communication device. In one example of block 2002,first communication device 102 converts transmission entities 122 intophysical data symbols 124 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). In block 2004, thephysical data symbols are transmitted through at least at least twodifferent types of communication media at a common data transmissionrate from the first communication device to a second communicationdevice. In one example of block 2002, physical data symbols 124 aretransmitted through communication media 106 at a common datatransmission rate from first communication device 102 to secondcommunication device 104. In block 2006, the physical data symbols areconverted into transmission entities at the second communication device.In one example of block 2006, second communication device 104 convertsphysical data symbols 124 into transmission entities 126.

Combinations of Features

Features described above may be combined in various ways withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. The following examples illustrate somepossible combinations:

(A1) A method for transmitting data through a multi-media communicationnetwork may include (1) converting transmission entities into physicaldata symbols at a first communication device, (2) transmitting thephysical data symbols from the first communication device to a secondcommunication device through at least two different types ofcommunication media using only lower PHY layers of the at least twodifferent types of communication media, and (3) converting the physicaldata symbols into transmission entities at the second communicationdevice.

(A2) In the method denoted as (A1), the least two different types ofcommunication media may include a first communication medium and asecond communication medium, and the method may further includetranslating physical data symbols received from the first communicationmedium for transmission through the second communication medium.

(A3) In the method denoted as (A2), translating the physical datasymbols transmitted through the first communication medium fortransmission through the second communication medium may be performedwithout converting the data symbols into transmission entities.

(A4) In any one of the methods denoted as (A2) and (A3), translating thedata symbols transmitted through the first communication medium fortransmission through the second communication medium may include (1)demodulating one or more carrier signals received from the firstcommunication medium to yield the physical data symbols and (2)modulating one or more carrier signals to be transmitted through thesecond communication medium according to the physical data signals.

(A5) In the method denoted as (A4), translating the physical datasymbols transmitted through the first communication medium fortransmission through the second communication medium may further includeequalizing the one or more carrier signals received from the firstcommunication medium, prior to demodulating the one or more carriersignals received from the first communication medium.

(A6) Any one of the methods denoted as (A2) through (A5) may furtherinclude translating the physical data symbols at the common datatransmission rate without buffering the data symbols.

(A7) In any one of the methods denoted as (A2) through (A6), the firstcommunication medium may have a different maximum communicationbandwidth than the second communication medium.

(A8) Any one of the methods denoted as (A2) through (A7) may furtherinclude (1) transferring the physical data symbols through the firstcommunication medium using a first modulation scheme (MS) and (2)transferring the data symbols through the second communication mediumusing a second MS that is different from the first MS.

(A9) In any one of the methods denoted as (A2) through (A8), the firstcommunication medium may include a fiber optic communication medium andthe second communication medium may include a coaxial cablecommunication medium.

(A10) In any one of the methods denoted as (A2) through (A8), the firstcommunication medium may include a fiber optic communication medium andthe second communication medium may include a wireless cablecommunication medium.

(A11) Any one of the methods denoted as (A1) through (A10) may furtherinclude transmitting the data symbols from the first communicationdevice to the second communication device with a predetermined latency.

(A12) Any one of the methods denoted as (A1) through (A11) may furtherinclude transmitting the physical data symbols from the firstcommunication device to the second communication device using only onedata transmission protocol.

(A13) In the method denoted as (A12), the only one data transmissionprotocol may be selected from the group consisting of a long-termevolution (LTE) protocol, a data over cable service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) protocol, scheduled WiFi protocol, a 5G wirelesstransmission protocol, and a 6G wireless transmission protocol.

(A14) In any one of the methods denoted as (A1) through (A13), thecommon data transmission rate may be selected to not exceed a datatransmission rate of a communication medium of the at least twodifferent types of communication media having a lowest data transmissionrate.

(A15) Any one of the methods denoted as (A1) through (A14) may furtherinclude scheduling transmission of data through the multi-mediacommunication network.

(A16) Any one of the methods denoted as (A1) through (A15) may furtherinclude, prior to converting the transmission entities into physicaldata symbols at the first communication device, generating thetransmission entities such that each transmission entity includes afirst portion for dedicated data transmission and a second portion forscheduled data transmission.

(A17) Any one of the methods denoted as (A1) through (A16) may furtherinclude (1) prior to converting the transmission entities into physicaldata symbols at the first communication device, generating thetransmission entities such that each transmission entity includes anerror-correcting code and (2) after converting the physical data symbolsinto transmission entities at the second communication device,correcting a transmission error using the error-correcting code of atleast one of the transmission entities.

(A18) The method denoted as (A17) may further include selecting a formatof the error-correcting code of at least one of the transmissionentities according to a type of data carried by the transmissionentities.

(B1) A network implementing a universal data link may include (1) afirst communication device configured to convert transmission entitiesinto physical data symbols, (2) a second communication device configuredto convert the physical data symbols into transmission entities, (3) atleast a first communication medium and a second communication mediumcommunicatively coupled between the first communication device and thesecond communication device, and (4) a first physical-layer (PHY)translator configured to translate the physical data symbols as receivedfrom the first communication medium for transmission through the secondcommunication medium without converting the physical data symbols intotransmission entities.

(B2) In the network denoted as (B1), the first PHY translator may befurther configured to (1) demodulate one or more carrier signalsreceived from the first communication medium to yield the physical datasymbols and (2) modulate one or more carrier signals to be transmittedthrough the second communication medium according to the physical datasignals.

(B3) In the network denoted as (B2), the first PHY translator may befurther configured to equalize the one or more carrier signals receivedfrom the first communication medium, prior to demodulating the one ormore carrier signals received from the first communication medium.

(B4) In any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B3), the firstcommunication medium may have a different maximum communicationbandwidth than the second communication medium.

(B5) In any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B4), the firstcommunication medium may include a fiber optic cable communicationmedium and the second communication medium may include a coaxial cablecommunication medium.

(B6) In any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B4), the firstcommunication medium may include a fiber optic cable communicationmedium, and the second communication medium may include a wirelesscommunication medium.

(B7) Any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B6) may furtherinclude (1) a third communication medium communicatively coupled betweenthe second communication medium and the second communication device and(2) a second PHY translator configured to translate physical datasymbols received from the second communication medium for transmissionthrough the third communication medium without converting the physicaldata symbols into transmission entities.

(B8) In any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B7), the firstcommunication device may include a telecommunication network switch.

(B9) In any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B7), the firstcommunication device may include a modem termination system.

(B10) In any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B9), thesecond communication device may include a wireless communication basestation.

(B11) In any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B9), thesecond communication device may include a wireless access point.

(B12) In any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B9), thesecond communication device may include a modem.

(B13) In any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B9), thesecond communication device may include an optical network terminationdevice.

(B14) In any one of the networks denoted as (B1) through (B9), thesecond communication device may include a user device.

Changes may be made in the above methods, devices, and systems withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the mattercontained in the above description and shown in the accompanyingdrawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense. The following claims are intended to cover generic and specificfeatures described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of thepresent method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be saidto fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for transmitting data through amulti-media communication network, comprising: transmitting firstphysical data symbols to a first physical layer (PHY) translator via afirst communication medium; at the first PHY translator, translating thefirst physical data symbols received from the first communication mediumto a form suitable for transmission by a second communication medium,the second communication medium being a different type of communicationmedium than the first communication medium; and using the secondcommunication medium, transmitting first physical data symbols from thefirst PHY translator to one or more of a plurality of firstcommunication devices.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein translating thefirst physical data symbols received from the first communication mediumto the form suitable for transmission by the second communication mediumcomprises translating the first physical data symbols without convertingthe physical data symbols into transmission entities.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising organizing the first physical data symbolsfor transmission to one or more of the plurality of first communicationdevices into a downlink transmission entity.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the downlink transmission entity comprises a data allocationportion configured to provide transmission instructions for theplurality of first communication devices.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the transmission instructions for the plurality of firstcommunication devices specify one or more of (a) respective times forone or more of the plurality of first communication devices to transmitdata and (b) frequency for one or more of the plurality of firstcommunication devices to transmit data.
 6. The method of claim 3,wherein the downlink transmission entity comprises a dedicated resourceportion including a respective dedicated slot for data transmission fromone or more second communication devices to each of the plurality offirst communication devices.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein thedownlink transmission entity further comprises a scheduled resourceportion including one or more scheduled slots for scheduled datatransmission from the one or more of second communication devices to theone or more of the plurality of first communication devices.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, where a ratio of scheduled slots of the downlinktransmission entity to dedicated slots of the downlink transmissionentity is sixteen to one.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein each firstcommunication device is configured convert first physical data symbolsreceived from the first communication medium into transmission entities.10. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the first physical datasymbols from the first PHY translator to one or more of the plurality offirst communication devices comprises broadcasting the first physicaldata symbols to each of the plurality of first communication devices.11. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the first physical datasymbols from the first PHY translator to one or more of the plurality offirst communication devices comprises selectively transmitting the firstphysical data symbols to a subset of the plurality of firstcommunication devices.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting second physical data symbols from one or more of theplurality of first communication devices to the first PHY translator viathe second communication medium; and at the first PHY translator,translating the second physical data symbols received from the secondcommunication medium to a form suitable for transmission by the firstcommunication medium to one or more second communication devices. 13.The method of claim 12, further comprising organizing the secondphysical data symbols into an uplink transmission entity.
 14. The methodof claim 13, wherein the uplink transmission entity comprises adedicated resource portion including a respective dedicated slot fordata transmission from each of the plurality of first communicationdevices to the one or more second communication devices.
 15. The methodof claim 13, wherein the uplink transmission entity comprises ascheduled resource portion including one or more scheduled slots forscheduled data transmission from one or more of the plurality of firstcommunication devices to the one or more second communication devices.16. The method of claim 12, wherein each first communication device isfurther configured convert transmission entities into second physicaldata symbols for transmission by the second communication medium.
 17. Aphysical layer (PHY) translator, comprising: a first port configured toreceive first physical data symbols from a first communication medium; asecond port configured to provide first physical data symbols to asecond communication medium that is a different type of communicationmedium than the first communication medium; and first circuitryconfigured to translate the first physical data symbols received fromthe first communication medium to a form suitable for transmission bythe second communication medium, without converting the first physicaldata symbols into transmission entities.
 18. The PHY translator of claim17, wherein the first circuitry is configured to translate the firstphysical data symbols for transmission to a plurality of communicationdevices via the second communication medium.
 19. The PHY translator ofclaim 17, wherein: the second port is further configured to receivesecond physical data symbols from the second communication medium; thefirst port is further configured to provide the second physical datasymbols to the first communication medium; and the PHY translatorfurther comprises second circuitry configured to translate the secondphysical data symbols received from the second communication medium to aform suitable for transmission by the first communication medium,without converting the second physical data symbols into transmissionentities.
 20. The PHY translator of claim 19, wherein the secondcircuitry is further configured to translate second physical datasymbols generated by a plurality of communication devices fortransmission by the first communication medium.